"You can do it, now"

Edler Uchdtorf  is one of my favorite speakers. I always love his talks. He would not remember me, but I remember when I met him in person. I had the privilage of serving a mission with his son. His son was my district leader and was dedicated, hard working, cheerful and always optimistic. We ended up both being released from our missions the same day. On our last day, missionaries being released were given the opportunity to go through the Washington D.C. Temple together. (I served in the Washington D.C. South mission) Elder Uchdtorf's parents had flown from Germany to pick him up and were at the temple with us. I remember shaking President Uchdtorfs hand . He had a firm handshake and a bright smile and I could feel the strength  of his spirit. It was not until years later that he was called as a general authority. I feel that same spirit when I listen to his talks.

A few weeks ago he talked about rising up dusting ourselves off and moving forward when we fall or when moving forward seems impossible. (You Can Do it Now!,  Elder Uchdtorf Oct Ensign 2013)
He says.

 "When I was young, falling and getting up seemed to be one and the same motion. Over the years, however, I have come to the unsettling conclusion that the laws of physics have changed—and not to my advantage.

Not long ago I was skiing with my 12-year-old grandson. We were enjoying our time together when I hit an icy spot and ended up making a glorious crash landing on a steep slope.

I tried every trick to stand up, but I couldn’t—I had fallen, and I couldn’t get up.

I felt fine physically, but my ego was a bit bruised. So I made sure that my helmet and goggles were in place, since I much preferred that other skiers not recognize me. I could imagine myself sitting there helplessly as they skied by elegantly, shouting a cheery, “Hello, Brother Uchtdorf!”

I began to wonder what it would take to rescue me. That was when my grandson came to my side. I told him what had happened, but he didn’t seem very interested in my explanations of why I couldn’t get up. He looked me in the eyes, reached out, took my hand, and in a firm tone said, “Opa, you can do it now!”Instantly, I stood.

I am still shaking my head over this. What had seemed impossible only a moment before immediately became a reality because a 12-year-old boy reached out to me and said, “You can do it now!” To me, it was an infusion of confidence, enthusiasm, and strength.

There may be times in our lives when rising up and continuing on may seem beyond our own ability. That day on a snow-covered slope, I learned something. Even when we think we cannot rise up, there is still hope. And sometimes we just need someone to look us in the eyes, take our hand, and say, “You can do it now!”

 

                               

"my dear friends, there will be times when you think you cannot continue on. Trust the Savior and His love. With faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the power and hope of the restored gospel, you will be able to walk tall and continue on.

We acknowledge that your path will at times be difficult. But I give you this promise in the name of the Lord: rise up and follow in the footsteps of our Redeemer and Savior, and one day you will look back and be filled with eternal gratitude that you chose to trust the Atonement and its power to lift you up and give you strength.

 

My dear friends and brethren, no matter how many times you have slipped or fallen, rise up! Your destiny is a glorious one! Stand tall and walk in the light of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ! You are stronger than you realize. You are more capable than you can imagine. You can do it now!"

 

Throughout your healing process you will falter, you will fall, and you will loose hope sometimes, but as you press forward you will find (as Elder Uchdtorf said) that you are far more capable then you can imagine!!